The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

Amorphous solids (including glassy and non-crystalline solids) are ubiquitous since the vast majority of solids naturally occurring in our world are amorphous. Although the field is diverse and complex, this three-volume set covers the vast majority of the important concepts needed to understand these materials and their principal practical applications. One volume discusses the most important subset of amorphous insulators, namely oxide glasses; the other two volumes discuss the most important subsets of amorphous semiconductors, namely tetrahedrally coordinated amorphous semiconductors and amorphous and glassy chalcogenides. Together these three volumes provide a comprehensive set of theoretical concepts and practical information needed to become conversant in the field of amorphous materials. They are suitable for advanced graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and researchers wishing to change fields or sub-fields.The topics covered in these three volumes include (1) concepts for understanding the structures of amorphous materials, (2) techniques to characterize the structural, electronic, and optical properties of amorphous materials, (3) the roles of defects in affecting the electronic and optical properties of amorphous materials, and (4) the concepts for understanding practical devices and other applications of amorphous materials. Applications discussed in these volumes include transistors, solar cells, displays, bolometers, fibers, non-volatile memories, vidicons, photoresists, and optical disks.

This book presents new concepts for a next generation of PV. Among these concepts are: Multijunction solar cells, multiple excitation solar cells (or how to take benefit of high energy photons for the creation of more than one electron hole-pair), intermediate band solar cells (or how to take advantage of below band-gap energy photons) and related technologies (for quantum dots, nitrides, thin films), advanced light management approaches (plasmonics). Written by world-class experts in next generation photovoltaics this book is an essential reference guide accessible to both beginners and experts working with solar cell technology. The book deeply analyzes the current state-of-the-art of the new photovoltaic approaches and outlines the implementation paths of these advanced devices. Topics addressed range from the fundamentals to the description of state-of-the-art of the new types of solar cells.

Infrared Detectors and technologies are very important for a wide range of applications, not only for Military but also for various civilian applications. Comparatively fast bolometers can provide large quantities of low cost devices opening up a new era in infrared technologies. This book deals with various aspects of bolometer developments. It covers bolometer material aspects, different types of bolometers, performance limitations, applications and future trends. The chapters in this book will be useful for senior researchers as well as beginning graduate students.

The book focuses on advanced characterization methods for thin-film solar cells that have proven their relevance both for academic and corporate photovoltaic research and development. After an introduction to thin-film photovoltaics, highly experienced experts report on device and materials characterization methods such as electroluminescence analysis, capacitance spectroscopy, and various microscopy methods. In the final part of the book simulation techniques are presented which are used for ab-initio calculations of relevant semiconductors and for device simulations in 1D, 2D and 3D. Building on a proven concept, this new edition also covers thermography, transient optoelectronic methods, and absorption and photocurrent spectroscopy.

Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells explains concepts related to technologies for silicon (Si) based photovoltaic applications. Topics in this book focus on ‘new concept’ solar cells. These kinds of cells can make photovoltaic power production an economically viable option in comparison to the bulk crystalline semiconductor technology industry. A transition from bulk crystalline Si solar cells toward thin-film technologies reduces usage of active material and introduces new concepts based on nanotechnologies. Despite its importance, the scientific development and understanding of new solar cells is not very advanced, and educational resources for specialized engineers and scientists are required. This textbook presents the fundamental scientific aspects of Si thin films growth technology, together with a clear understanding of the properties of the material and how this is employed in new generation photovoltaic solar cells. The textbook is a valuable resource for graduate students working on their theses, young researchers and all people approaching problems and fundamental aspects of advanced photovoltaic conversion.

In the field of organic semiconductors researchers and manufacturers are faced with a wide range of potential molecules. This work presents concepts for simulation-based predictions of material characteristics starting from chemical stuctures. The focus lies on charge transport – be it in microscopic models of amorphous morphologies, lattice models or large-scale device models. An extensive introductory review, which also includes experimental techniques, makes this work interesting for a broad readership. Contents: Organic Semiconductor Devices Experimental Techniques Charge Dynamics at Dierent Scales Computational Methods Energetics and Dispersive Transport Correlated Energetic Landscapes Microscopic, Stochastic and Device Simulations Parametrization of Lattice Models Drift–Diusion with Microscopic Link

The most comprehensive, authoritative and widely cited reference on photovoltaic solar energy Fully revised and updated, the Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Second Edition incorporates the substantial technological advances and research developments in photovoltaics since its previous release. All topics relating to the photovoltaic (PV) industry are discussed with contributions by distinguished international experts in the field. Significant new coverage includes: three completely new chapters and six chapters with new authors device structures, processing, and manufacturing options for the three major thin film PV technologies high performance approaches for multijunction, concentrator, and space applications new types of organic polymer and dye-sensitized solar cells economic analysis of various policy options to stimulate PV growth including effect of public and private investment Detailed treatment covers: scientific basis of the photovoltaic effect and solar cell operation the production of solar silicon and of silicon-based solar cells and modules how choice of semiconductor materials and their production influence costs and performance making measurements on solar cells and modules and how to relate results under standardised test conditions to real outdoor performance photovoltaic system installation and operation of components such as inverters and batteries. architectural applications of building-integrated PV Each chapter is structured to be partially accessible to beginners while providing detailed information of the physics and technology for experts. Encompassing a review of past work and the fundamentals in solar electric science, this is a leading reference and invaluable resource for all practitioners, consultants, researchers and students in the PV industry.